Wisconsin legislators claim over $1.3 million in allowances but work fewer days

MADISON - Wisconsin state legislators collected more than $1.3 million in daily travel allowances in 2017, a 12 percent increase from the last time lawmakers had a busy year approving a new state budget.

The increase came even though legislators claimed fewer work days in Madison. They collectively claimed travel allowances 13,759 times last year — about 119 fewer times than in 2015, which was the previous time the Legislature produced a two-year budget.

Both the Senate and Assembly increased allowance rates last year. Senate leaders cited a need to offset growing legislator travel expenses. Assembly rates grew automatically under a policy that links them with federal rates.

Legislators often collect daily travel allowances, also known as per diems, as money for job-related meals and lodging. They are allowed to pocket leftover cash, but some who live near Madison must pay income taxes on the money.

The money is in addition to a legislator's $50,950 annual salary. Legislators can't hike their own salaries under state law, but they are allowed to increase their per diems through policy changes in the Senate or Assembly.

Most Assembly legislators could claim up to $157 per overnight visit to Madison last year and up to $78.50 per single-day visit. Senators could claim up to $115 per day regardless of lodging needs.

Legislators are not required to log receipts of their lodging or other travel expenses in order to claim per diems. They submit forms indicating when they worked in Madison and then receive the money.

The top leaders in the Legislature often claim the most per diems, and last year was no exception. The top recipient with nearly $20,000 was Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, co-chairman of the Legislature’s budget committee. Next in line with about $18,400 was Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, who was the Assembly’s minority leader until he stepped down from the position in September.

The top Senate recipient was Sen. Luther Olson, R-Ripon, a member of the Legislature's budget committee. He claimed about $16,100.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, pledged in 2015 that his chamber could increase per diem rates without costing taxpayers more money, and has tried controlling costs by limiting the number of daily allowances that a lawmaker can claim each year. Last year, four Assembly Democrats hit the chamber's 153-day limit: Reps. Terese Berceau, David Bowen, Sondy Pope and Melissa Sargent. Bowen represents northern Milwaukee. The rest live near Madison.

Vos is limiting Assembly legislators to 90 days this year, but that number could be changed as the year progresses. Eighteen legislators from both political parties benefited when Vos raised the limit in 2016 from 80 to 90 days.